Topical Bible: Christian Conduct: Walking: Worthy of God

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The concept of walking worthy of God is a central theme in Christian conduct, emphasizing a lifestyle that reflects the character and teachings of Jesus Christ. This notion is deeply rooted in the New Testament, where believers are called to live in a manner that honors and glorifies God.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the idea of walking worthy of God in his epistles. In 1 Thessalonians 2:12, Paul exhorts the Thessalonian believers, "encouraging, comforting, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory" . This passage highlights the divine calling and the expectation that believers' lives should align with the values of God's kingdom.

Similarly, in Ephesians 4:1, Paul writes, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received" . Here, the emphasis is on the believer's response to the grace and calling of God, urging a life that reflects the transformative power of the Gospel.

Characteristics of Walking Worthy

Walking worthy of God involves several key characteristics that are consistently highlighted throughout Scripture:

1. Holiness and Purity: Believers are called to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, it is written, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy'" . This call to holiness is foundational to walking worthy of God.

2. Love and Compassion: A life worthy of God is marked by love and compassion towards others. In Colossians 3:12-14, Paul instructs, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity" .

3. Obedience and Faithfulness: Walking worthy of God requires obedience to His commands and faithfulness in all aspects of life. In John 14:15, Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" . This obedience is a demonstration of love and commitment to God.

4. Humility and Service: A worthy walk is characterized by humility and a servant's heart. Philippians 2:3-4 encourages believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" .

5. Perseverance and Endurance: The Christian walk requires perseverance, especially in the face of trials and challenges. James 1:12 states, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him" .

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling believers to walk worthy of God. Galatians 5:16-17 instructs, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh" . The Spirit empowers believers to overcome sinful desires and to live in accordance with God's will.

Conclusion

While a conclusion is not provided, the call to walk worthy of God is a lifelong journey that requires intentionality, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to embodying the teachings of Christ in every aspect of life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Thessalonians 2:12
That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you to his kingdom and glory.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer and Character and Conduct
... them, the beauties and excellencies of Christian life and ... watching his temper,
conversation and conduct; causes him ... shunning every evil way, and walking in the ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/viii prayer and character and.htm

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity the Christian Calling and Unity.
... manner of life may be styled "walking in Christ ... and to regulate his words and conduct
by God's ... past shamelessly styled the observance of Christian good works as ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/seventeenth sunday after trinity the.htm

Eligius, Bishop of Noyon.
... Let the heathen wonder at your conduct; and even if they ridicule your Christian
life, let ... One day, as he was walking about with the young clergymen who ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/eligius bishop of noyon.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... XI."A Compendious View of the Christian Life. ... practising the mincing motions of dancers,
conduct themselves in ... abandon a furious mode of walking, and choose ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

The Calling and the Kingdom
... instance, in one passage he speaks of 'walking worthily of ... a certain vocation to
which a Christian man is ... make his life correspond, and his conduct should be ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the calling and the kingdom.htm

A Pair of Friends
... and that is why they are not walking together. ... Similarly, many a Christian, quite
unconsciously, has something or other in his habits, or in his conduct, or in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a pair of friends.htm

Epistle cx. To Theoderic and Theodebert, Kings of the Franks .
... to amend their lives or order their conduct, but busy ... who know not whither even they
themselves are walking. ... kingdom you allow Jews to possess Christian slaves ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle cx to theoderic and.htm

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... I say, should be enemies to the Christian doctrine? ... The world cannot conduct itself
in any other way, when ... we should tend, in our life here walking in harmony ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm

On Eating.
... describe what the man who is called a Christian ought to ... say how each of us ought
to conduct himself in ... has he more serviceable than himself for walking in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the instructor paedagogus/chap i on eating.htm

What Sort of Prayer the Gnostic Employs, and How it is Heard by ...
... But while engaged in walking, in conversation, while in ... men have been strict in their
conduct when quite ... to some change of position in Christian assemblies, at ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vii what sort of prayer.htm